While you may be under the impression that your daily green smoothies are doing you nothing but good, this may not be the case,
In fact, there are quite a few potential dangers of green smoothies that the general public are not privy to.
How can this be, when all the inputs of your green smoothie – kale, spinach, chard, collards, arugula, etc – are all supposedly good for you?
We’ll dive into exactly what these dangers are, and how they can be avoided altogether. Let’s get started.
How Can Something Seemingly Healthy Be So Bad For You?
The problem with green smoothies lays in the quantity of greens you end up consuming. Because you are liquifying your food, you are able to consume much, much more.
This blender full of foods is way too much. When you consider the recommended serving size of all these foods, it becomes more obvious you’re overeating. The result is too much sugar, carbohydrate, green, etc.
While there are plenty of great things in these foods, there are a few noteworthy compounds you want to avoid.
How The Oxalates In Your Greens Are Hurting You
Of all the great compounds in your greens, you’ll also find oxalates. These are found in broccoli, chard, kale, beets, arugula, and many other greens.
Oxalates can bind with calcium and iron, preventing your body from absorbing these vital nutrients and minerals.
This can lead to the production of kidney stones, which if you are unfamiliar, are an incredibly painful complication.
But, oxalates can also prevent your body from accessing antioxidants. This allows free radicals in your body to run rampant.
Furthermore, there are certain groups of people for which oxalates are even more detrimental. These include people who suffer from thyroid disease, cystic fibrosis, COPD, sarcoidosis, and more.
Green Smoothies Also Lead To Increased Thallium Uptake
Another bad guy commonly found in the systems of those who regularly drink green smoothies is thallium.
This is a heavy metal mineral, which is actually found in the soil which these veggies are grown. In small quantities, your body can manage it and remove it from your body safely.
But when you drink it in large quantities, it can lead to issues such as hair loss, patchy skin issues, nausea, diarrhea, neuropathy, foggy thinking, along with more digestive issues.
The Final Culprit In Green Smoothies: Goitrogens/Glucosinolates
A third and final compound found in high concentrations in green smoothies are Glucosinolates. These are very detrimental to those with thyroid issues.
They inhibit iodine uptake, which is a critical nutrient when it comes to thyroid function. An excess of glucosinolates, which are sometimes referred to as goitrogens, leads to a hyperactive thyroid.
The Verdict – Should You Avoid Green Veggies Altogether To Be Safe?
After reading all this you might have your hesitations to consume greens in any form going forward. But, we’re not trying to scare you away from these foods altogether.
We just want you to be aware of what can happen if you overindulge in these foods, which is all too easy when consuming them in the form of smoothies.
You’ll be better off eating these foods a few times a week rather than drinking them daily. Remember that with just about everything in this life: too much of a good thing can be bad!
